Southern Stars win Twenty20 series against England after seven-wicket victory at Homebush

Updated
Sun Feb 02 18:48:58 EST 2014

Photo

Rene Farrell starred as the Southern Stars defeated England.

Getty Images: Mark Nolan

Australia will take momentum into its women's World Twenty20 title defence in Bangladesh, after fast bowler Rene Farrell spearheaded another series win over England in Sydney on Sunday.

The Southern Stars still lost the overall Ashes series, but have finished the mixed-format campaign with more wins than England after taking out the ODI and now T20 components.

Farrell took 4 for 15 to restrict England to 8 for 101 from its 20 overs, before opening batter Elyse Villani scored 36 not out to guide Australia to an emphatic seven-wicket triumph with nine balls to spare in the final international at Homebush.

Australia is the undisputed queen of the T20 format, and will be full of confidence shooting for its third consecutive world crown in the sub-continent in March.

Australia's Alex Blackwell told Grandstand her team was happy with their performances despite failing to win the Ashes overall.

"We've won two series within a series, first with the ODIs and now the T20s," she said.

"Going into (the T20 World Cup in) Bangladesh we're really happy with this result.

"We've got a lot of depth in batting and bowling and as you've seen today, the fielding is top-notch.

Leading Southern Stars players have called for a review of the points-scoring system as they were forced to settle for a moral victory this summer.

The one-off Test match won by England was worth six points compared to the two points awarded for each of the limited overs internationals.

Australia won 2-1 in both the ODIs and T20s, to finish the summer with four wins to England's three, but it still was not able to make up the deficit.

Tourists undone by Farrell's brilliant spell

England was unable to cope with Farrell's brilliant opening spell and a masterful performance by Southern Stars captain Meg Lanning in the field.

Lanning took a one-handed screamer at mid-wicket and also completed a ruthless direct-hit run-out to tighten the screws on England after Farrell had the visitors reeling early at 3 for 15.

Farrell first struck in the second over of the match and was on a hat-trick midway through her next over.

Nicole Bolton took a juggling speculator at mid-on to get rid of England captain Charlotte Edwards and next ball Farrell had Lydia Greenway edging behind - before her hat-trick ball was safely defended.

Openers Alyssa Healy (22) and Villani put on 48 for the first wicket, with Lanning also chipping in with 23 as Australia eased to victory.